To give young people a taste for science, nothing beats a chance to speak with actual scientists. That is one of the objectives of the “European Researchers’ Night”, when scientists across Europe will open the doors of their laboratories to the general public. This year's event, planned for 28 September, will see CERN once again opening the control rooms of the LHC and its experiments to young people aged 13 to 18 years. From 6 p.m. to midnight, they will be able to spend two to three hours in a control room of the LHC or one of its experiments (ALICE, ATLAS, CMS and TOTEM, and LHCb). In addition to the visit, specific activities have been organised to give the young visitors an insight into how the accelerator and detectors function and what kind of research is being done. They will also be able to tour the LHC magnets test facility.

Outside the control rooms, there are activities open to all. Members of the public will be able to visit CERN’s two permanent exhibitions, “Microcosm” and “Universe of Particles”, all evening. And at 8:30 p.m., an improvisational theatre session will take a look at the lighter side of physics (see box).

So spread the word:  this evening is reserved for the young people!

To sign up, all they have to do is sign up on the “Researchers' Night at CERN” website: www.cern.ch/nuitdeschercheurs

The number of places is limited, so applicants will be selected on the basis of the reasons they give for wanting to take part and the availability of places at the requested times.

“Physiques Impro Show”: fun in science

Who would have thought that the Higgs boson or supersymmetry could be not just interesting but also funny? Follow a theatre improv troupe on a journey to discover the comic potential hidden in even the most abstruse physics. Let yourself be drawn into the comic field that these masters of improvisation generate with their unconventional show, taking a fresh look at some concepts in modern physics. The actors won’t have the field to themselves, though: a real live physicist will be there to keep them honest.

The show will be in French. It is free and open to all, but you must reserve your place.

Physique Impro Show
by LesArts, a theatre troupe
28 September at 8:30 p.m.
Globe of Science and Innovation
Entrance free
To reserve a seat:
call +41 22 767 76 76
Doors open at 8 p.m.